Elevate Psychology,we provide comprehensive cognitive assessments for children and adolescents in Melbourne, supporting families across the Bayside and South-Eastern suburbs.
Many families seek assessment when they want to better understand how their child thinks and learns. Others are responding to school feedback about academic performance, learning differences, or concerns regarding intellectual development.
Our approach is structured, developmentally informed and collaborative. We work closely with parents, young people and (where appropriate) schools or other third parties to ensure a balanced and accurate understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges.
We regularly see families from:
· Brighton
· Bentleigh
· Hampton
· Sandringham
· Beaumaris
· Mentone
· Cheltenham
If you are searching for a child cognitive assessment in Inner East Melbourne or Bayside cognitive testing for children, our team can assist.
A cognitive assessment evaluates how a child or adolescent thinks, reasons, and processes information.
It provides insight into areas such as:
· Verbal comprehension and language-based reasoning
· Visual-spatial thinking
· Fluid reasoning and problem-solving
· Working memory
· Processing speed
Cognitive assessments provide a profile of strengths and differences, rather than focusing on a single score. This helps explain how a young person approaches learning and problem-solving across different environments.
A thorough cognitive assessment helps to clarify whether learning differences are related to intellectual functioning, attention, learning disorders, or other developmental factors. An initial intake session will determine whether a full cognitive assessment is recommended before you proceed.
See our Frequently Asked Questions guide for more information about cognitive and educational assessments (insert link).
Parents often seek assessment when:
· There are concerns about learning or academic progress
· A child appears significantly ahead of or behind peers
· School performance is inconsistent or not reflecting ability
· There are questions about giftedness or intellectual delay
· A learning or ADHD assessment is being considered
· Schools request formal assessment to guide support
Early identification allows for appropriate support and more accurate expectations across home and school environments.
Our assessments align with current best-practice guidelines. The process typically includes:
(1 hour | telehealth or face-to-face)
This initial appointment focuses on getting to know the individual beyond presenting concerns. We explore developmental history, strengths, interests, learning styles, and current challenges.
Together, we determine the most appropriate assessment pathway and select assessment tools that best reflect the individual’s profile.
Assessment sessions involve structured and interactive activities designed to understand how your child or young person:
· Thinks and learns
· Solves problems
· Processes information
· Uses language and visual reasoning
The number and length of sessions vary depending on individual needs and are discussed during the intake session.
Breaks, pacing adjustments, and accommodations are provided to support comfort and accessibility throughout the process.
To understand experiences across contexts, questionnaires and background information may be gathered from parents, caregivers, teachers, or other supports (where appropriate and with consent).
This helps ensure assessment findings reflect real-world experiences rather than performance in a single setting.
Standardised assessment tools are interpreted alongside developmental history, environmental factors, and lived experience. Results are considered within a neuroaffirming framework that recognises individual differences in cognition and learning.
Depending on the type of assessment you are having you will receive a detailed report describing some or all of the following:
· Cognitive profile and index scores
· Strengths and areas where support may be helpful
· Learning profile and implications
· Recommendations for home and school
· Guidance regarding further assessment if appropriate
Reports are written to support understanding across home, school, and healthcare settings.
(1 hour | telehealth or face-to-face)
The psychologist will discuss findings in a supportive and collaborative way, ensuring results are clearly understood and questions are welcomed. We also discuss practical next steps and supports moving forward. The written report is provided during this session.
A significant portion of assessment work occurs outside appointment times, including reviewing background information, scoring assessments, clinical interpretation, consultation, and report preparation.
See below for expected costs for our assessment offerings:
Assessment Type | Approx. Clinical Hours | Total Cost* |
Cognitive Assessment | Approx. 6 hours | $1932 |
Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) Assessment | Approx. 8 hours | $2526 |
ADHD Assessment (Child/Adolescent) | Approx. 9 hours | $2823 |
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment (or ASD Combined Assessment with ADHD) | Approx. 10 hours | $3120 |
Parents may consider a cognitive assessment when they notice:
· Ongoing academic difficulties
· A mismatch between effort and performance
· Advanced abilities compared to peers
· Feedback from teachers about learning concerns
An assessment helps clarify how your child learns and whether further assessment or support is recommended.
Cognitive assessments are typically most informative once a child is school-aged (around 6 years and older), when learning demands increase and differences become more apparent.
A cognitive assessment evaluates how a child thinks and processes information.
A learning (SLD) assessment evaluates academic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics.
In many cases, both may be recommended to fully understand a child’s learning profile.
It is common for children to have areas of strength and areas that are more challenging. A cognitive assessment helps identify these patterns and provides recommendations tailored to your child’s profile.
Yes. A cognitive assessment report can support discussions with schools regarding:
· Learning needs
· Classroom strategies
· Extension or support programs
Our assessments reflect Elevate Psychology’s core principles:
· Person-centred: We consider your child’s developmental stage, temperament and context.
· Evidence-based: We offer best-practice assessment protocols
· Collaborative: We work alongside parents, schools and medical professionals.
· Balanced and thorough: We assess for overlapping conditions such as anxiety, mood difficulties, trauma or learning disorders.
We understand that seeking assessment can feel overwhelming. Our role is to provide clarity and practical guidance to help you provide effective support for your child.
